Lawful development certificate granted for two large garden buildings using the Caravan Act

[Mr_JM]

Have been through this process with the local authority, did months of research and finally granted permission. Two garden rooms are now built, sat on a concrete base. They have a bedroom, lounge area and bathroom.

Max size you can have for these type of rooms is 6m wide, 26m deep, and 3m internal height (no restrictions on external height, or distance to the boundary). No standard building regulations apply, as they are classed as temporary structures. We built ours on-site using SIP panels, EDPM roof and cladding, and they are now connected to utilities, plastered and decorated.

The important part for us is that there was no planning application needed, nor does it rely on any permitted development rules for outbuildings. We are in a conservation area & greenbelt so we had lots of restrictions.

LA has been out to see the garden rooms now that they are finished, and is happy that they comply with the lawful development certificate.

Definitely recommend using this avenue if you have any restrictions on permitted development, or difficulty obtaining conventional planning permission for your project. Hope this helps.

 

[Mottie]

Got any pictures?

 

[Mr_JM]

Got any pictures?

Still need to do finishes, and boxing utilities in, steps and paving etc.

 

[blup]

Have been through this process with the local authority, did months of research and finally granted permission. Two garden rooms are now built, sat on a concrete base. They have a bedroom, lounge area and bathroom.

Max size you can have for these type of rooms is 6m wide, 26m deep, and 3m internal height (no restrictions on external height, or distance to the boundary). No standard building regulations apply, as they are classed as temporary structures. We built ours on-site using SIP panels, EDPM roof and cladding, and they are now connected to utilities, plastered and decorated.

The important part for us is that there was no planning application needed, nor does it rely on any permitted development rules for outbuildings. We are in a conservation area & greenbelt so we had lots of restrictions.

LA has been out to see the garden rooms now that they are finished, and is happy that they comply with the lawful development certificate.

Definitely recommend using this avenue if you have any restrictions on permitted development, or difficulty obtaining conventional planning permission for your project. Hope this helps.

Don’t see how this is a temporary building when it’s fixed to the utilities. Does the ldc specifically say temporary building and if so for how long?

Blup

 

[Mr_JM]

So there’s no mention of ‘temporary’ in any of the acts. A lawful development certificate has no time limit, as long as the structure meets the definition of a mobile building.

There’s lots of planning decision that state the fact it can be connected to utilities has no bearing on it being classed as a mobile building

 

[fourtytwo]

I find it extremely unlikely that this apparent loophole in planning law really exists in practice, it may be that your LA is negligent, uninformed or that nobody has seriously disputed this development in the courts. The idea that neighborhoods can be subjected to uncontrolled quantities of large temporary buildings in back gardens is horrific to say the least (IMOP).

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Hope you've got something in writing to say that complies.

Think you may have had some major luck here. Or perhaps they've just decided it's not worth caring about, e.g. if nobody else can see it anyway.

 

[Old Salt]

Wifes cousin has something similar all above board and with agreement of LA.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Think it depends on your council intepretaion of the legislation, there's quite a bit on it if you google it, an LDC is essential here.

 

[Mr_JM]

I find it extremely unlikely that this apparent loophole in planning law really exists in practice, it may be that your LA is negligent, uninformed or that nobody has seriously disputed this development in the courts. The idea that neighborhoods can be subjected to uncontrolled quantities of large temporary buildings in back gardens is horrific to say the least (IMOP).

It’s just about ensuring you follow the legislation to a T. I agree that left unchecked it could be problematic in some areas

 

[Mr_JM]

Hope you've got something in writing to say that complies.

Think you may have had some major luck here. Or perhaps they've just decided it's not worth caring about, e.g. if nobody else can see it anyway.

We live in a semi detached house and have a very bitter, ASB prone neighbour who complains about every single thing we do, so we have to triple check everything we do to ensure it complies with any permissions or legislation.

It’s been checked and we have confirmation it complies with the use of land that was granted

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I've seen planning applications where someone's doing major work on their house and needs a caravan to live in - an actual static caravan, with wheels. Our council seems to require permission for this and only for 12 months at a time, I've seen applications just to renew it for another year at a time.

So it appears that different councils vary hugely in how they interpret things.

 

[charliegolf]

Why is it not straight up PD?

 

[Mr_JM]

Why is it not straight up PD?

PD buildings of this size would need to conform to things like eaves height restrictions, boundary placement and all sorts of other constraints.

Some might find it useful to learn about this act, as they could be in a place where permitted development rights have been removed, or there’s other reasons they can’t use PD.